Three locals awarded scholarships from Little League

May 23, 2018

WILLIAMSPORT - At its annual luncheon on Thursday, May 17, Little League International recognized the achievement of 10 Lycoming County high school seniors, awarding a total of $13,000 in scholarship funds.

Of the five male and five female recipients, one male student and one female student each received a $2,500 scholarship, with eight other finalists receiving $1,000.

From the 61 scholarship applicants this year, the recipients of the $2,500 scholarships were Kade Heckel from Hughesville High School and Mary McMahon from Williamsport Area High School. Appointed by Senator Bob Casey, Kade Heckel will be attending the Naval Academy in Annapolis and will be majoring in computer science. He would like to specialize in cryptological warfare for the U.S. government. McMahon will be attending UPMC in Pittsburgh.

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Receiving scholarships at the annual Little League award luncheon last Thursday were (center left to right) Samantha Thompson of Hughesville, Kade Heckel of Hughesville and Nathan Paisley of Muncy. With the seniors are Karen Stotz, daughter of Little League founder, Carl Stotz, and Stephen Keener, President and CEO of Little League International.

Stephen Keener, Little League President and CEO introduced the recipients during a luncheon with school personnel and family members present and acknowledged their outstanding talent. "This is the day to say 'thank you' to our founder, Carl Stotz," he told everyone. "We use baseball fields as classroom lessons."

Some 60 to 70 applications were turned in for the scholarships according to Keener who also said it was very, very difficult "to come up with a distinguished selection of five finalists. All are worthy," he added. "This is a celebration of excellence and a family connection."

Since 2002 a total of $190,000 has been given in scholarship assistance.

Kade thanked his parents and the benefactors of Little League. He said it was a nice surprise when he found out he was the top male recipient.

Two other local recipients of the Little League scholarships went to Samantha Thompson of Hughesville and Nathan Paisley of Muncy. Each received $1,000. Thompson will be going to Colorado Springs on June 15 to attend the Air Force Academy. "This will be a big change for me," she said, "and a chance to serve my country and continue my education." She would like to be an officer and a pilot.

Paisley thanked his parents and family, and will be graduating from Muncy High School on June 1st. He is in the top 25 percent of his class which made him eligible for the scholarship plus his outstanding application.